If your toddler isn't talking as much as other children their age, or a doctor has mentioned a delay, you're not alone, and you don't have to choose between child care and support. In Alberta, help for young children can come to the places they already spend their day, including daycare. Here's how the main programs fit together.
Start with an assessment
Most supports begin with an assessment from a qualified professional, such as a pediatrician, a registered speech-language pathologist or a registered psychologist. Your family doctor can refer you. Ask your daycare for notes on what they see day to day; it helps the assessment.
PUF: Program Unit Funding
Program Unit Funding is money Alberta Education gives approved early childhood services operators to support children with a severe disability or a severe language delay before kindergarten. School divisions describe eligibility as roughly 2 years 8 months to 4 years 8 months by September 1 of the school year, with an individualized plan written for the child each year. Funding can cover up to three years.
PUF programs are run by school divisions and by approved providers. Ask your local school division or your child's specialist which program fits.
GRIT (now Kids Included)
GRIT, Getting Ready for Inclusion Today, is an Edmonton-area early childhood program for children with disabilities, now known as Kids Included. It's funded through PUF, and its teams can work with children wherever they play and learn, including child care centres. That means a child can keep their daycare routine and friends while getting specialised support.
FSCD: Family Support for Children with Disabilities
FSCD is a provincial program for families of children with disabilities. Depending on the family's needs, it can include information and coordination, counselling, respite, help with some disability-related costs, aide supports and child care supports. A Disability Services worker meets with the family to agree on a plan. See FSCD supports and services on alberta.ca.
What to ask a daycare
- Do you work directly with FSCD, and with GRIT or other PUF programs?
- Can a specialist or aide work with my child in the room?
- How do you share progress with me and with the specialist team?
- How do you adapt routines (visual schedules, quiet spaces, smaller groups) so my child can join in?
At Little Otters
Little Otters is an inclusive centre in Leduc. We work directly with FSCD and welcome GRIT and PUF support for speech and development, so help can happen during your child's normal day. Read more about inclusive care at Little Otters.
Talk it through with us. Tell us about your child in a short message or book a tour and bring your questions. Everything you share stays private.
Program details checked October 2026 against alberta.ca and Alberta school division pages. Rules can change; confirm eligibility with your specialist or school division.
